Human Rights Update and Archives

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AUGUST 2003

Close aide of Chadrel Rinpoche still in custody  [ read ]

"Environmental drive" threatens nomadic livelihood  [ read ]

Memorandum to the Foreign Minister of Netherlands on his upcoming visit to China  [ read ]

Chadrel Rinpoche not welcome in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery: Lama Nyandak  [ read ]

U.S. accuses China of backsliding on human rights  [ read ]

A nomad's courage to challenge government relocation policy leads to exile  [ read ]

Patriotic Re-education Campaign in Sera Monastery leads to arrest and expulsion  [ read ]

Lhasa City Official confirms Tibetans imprisoned for 'splittism'  [ read ]

Profile of a current political prisoner:

Six years sentence extension for pro-independence sloganeering  [ read ]

TCHRD Activities Bulletin:

Briefing with the First Secretary of US Embassy  [ read ]

TCHRD pays tribute to the late UN High Commissioner for Human Rights  [ read ]

TCHRD branch office staff resigns  [ read ]

TCHRD releases revised edition of the "Briefing Paper for Travellers to Tibet"  [ read ]

Close aide of Chadrel Rinpoche still in custody

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) received confirmed information that Champa Chung, 56-year-old former assistant of Chadrel Rinpoche, is in custody even after expiry of his original four-year's prison term in 1999. Arrested in 1995 over his role in the controversial reincarnation issue of the Panchen Lama, Champa Chung received four years' prison term in addition to two years' deprivation of political rights.

A reliable source confirmed that Champa Chung is still in detention. On conditions of anonymity, the source reported, "He is still in some kind of custody. I asked if this was las mi rukhag (forced job placement or Ch: jiyue), but was told that it was quite different. From what I could gather, it meant that although he has completed his sentence, he is held in some capacity in the same gora or courtyard of the prison."

China's Revised Criminal Procedure Law of March 1996 stipulates that the period in custody from the date of arrest is counted in the term of prison sentence. In accordance with the Chinese law, Champa Chung's four-year prison term was to expire by 16 May 1999 since his arrest took place on 17 May 1995. The extended detention of Champa Chung, therefore, is in contravention of China's national law and international laws as well.

Champa Chung (a.k.a Chung la, Ch: Qamba Qung) is the former Secretary of the Search Committee for the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama and Deputy Director of the Administration of Dechen Kelsang Potrang (Ch: Deqen Gaisang Phozhang), Panchen Lama's residence in Shigatse in "Tibet Autonomous Region" ("TAR"). The other two who were arrested with Champa Chung are Chadrel Rinpoche (64), former abbot of Tashilhunpo Monastery and head of Search Committee for the 10th Panchen Lama's reincarnation, and Samdrup (mid thirties), a businessman from Panam County in Shigatse.

On 14 May 1995, the Dalai Lama announced the then six-year-old Gedhun Chokyi Nyima as the XI Panchen Lama of Tibet. Beijing authorities were quick to refute the proclamation and on 24 May 1995, denounced the Dalai Lama's statement as "illegal and invalid". On 17 May 1995, Gedhun Chokyi Nyima and his family disappeared and have not been seen till today. Despite assurances about his "well-being", no government body, independent agency or individual has ever been allowed to meet the young boy who turned 14 this April. In November 1995, the Chinese Government appointed another six-year-old boy, Gyaltsen Norbu, as the XI Panchen Lama.

On 21 April 1997, Intermediate Court of Shigatse (Ch: Xigaze) Prefecture in "TAR" passed verdicts on Champa Chung, Chadrel Rinpoche and Samdrup. Champa Chung received four years' prison term in Seitru Detention Centre ("TAR" Public Security Bureau Detention Centre) in Lhasa and two years' deprivation of political rights; Chadrel Rinpoche was sentenced to six years' prison term in Chuandong No. 3 Prison, Tazhu County, Sichuan Province with three years' deprivation of political rights; Samdrup was given two years with subsequent deprivation of political rights for one year and he was most probably detained in Seitru Detention Centre.

According to Xinhua report of 7 May 1997, the three defendants were convicted of "conspiring to split the country" under Article 92 of the Criminal Law, which deals with "plots to subvert the government and dismember the State". Under Article 92, the minimum punishment for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment though the defendants received sentences below this minimum. Xinhua explained that the court passed sentences below the prescribed minimum in view of the "details of the case".

Official reports stated that Chadrel Rinpoche was released in April 2002 in accordance with the court's ruling. Exclusive information received by TCHRD earlier this year indicates that Chadrel Rinpoche is under house arrest in an isolated resort (Chi: dujian cun) south of Din military camp (Tib translit: srib dmag khang) in Lhasa. This information was corroborated by our current source who reported, "Chadrel Rinpoche is also still held in some way despite having completed his six years' sentence, as everyone has assumed. There were rumours of a new house being built to hold him at a prison in Chongqing".

The continued detention of both Champa Chung and Chadrel Rinpoche is indicative of the political sensitivity attached to the case. TCHRD demands immediate attention and action by the international community in pressurizing China to release both Chadrel Rinpoche and Champa Chung unconditionally and to reveal the whereabouts of Gedhun Chokyi Nyima."

"Environmental drive" threatens nomadic livelihood

According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), the Tibetan nomads from Golog and Yushul "Tibet Autonomous Prefecture" ("TAP") face risk of relocation and threat to their traditional nomadic culture. The government ruling of 16 April 2003 has called for a drive to protect and plant grasses on the banks of the three major rivers - Machu, Drichu and Zachu - to combat desertification and soil erosion. The same ruling has ordered limiting the livestock to protect grassland and this has raised anxiety amongst the local nomads.

As per Xinhua news article of 17 April 2003, the Chinese Government had in April this year decided to convert large tracts of nomadic land into protected and controlled grassland. The drive, which has already been initiated, is expected to conclude within five years.

The official justification for the drive is that 70 percent of the grasslands in Matoe County in Golog "TAP" has now turned barren. The government has reportedly planned to fence 1540 mu (one mu is equivalent to 67 square metres) to protect and grow grassland. Towards this end, the government plans to resettle 27,679 nomadic populace that have traditionally used the land for subsistence, into some other areas.

TCHRD has received a letter from the residents of Golog "TAP" wherein they have expressed deep concern and anxiety towards the implementation of this new policy. The Tibetan nomads look upon this policy as a threat to their traditional livelihood and nomadic lifestyle. They have subsisted for many generations on these grasslands and livestock. A nomad has compared limiting livestock and relocating nomads from their traditional land hold as "fish being flung out of water".

The official drive also provided for compensation measures such as subsidy of 2.75 kg of grain in return for one mu of land and job incentives to people who would face relocation, according to Xinhua news article. However, the nomads have expressed displeasure with the whole plan as they have already been disadvantaged in the field of education and other vocational skills.

The relocation and plantation programme referred here is another "environmental" initiative introduced in the wake of the 1998 floods in China. This could also be viewed as a part of the much-vaunted Western Development Programme (WDP), originally launched in 1999. Such projects have enormously hindered Tibetan livelihood. This is not the only instance where by Tibetans have been deprived of their Right to Livelihood. TCHRD has recorded and reported many violations of this kind.

On 12 May 2003, the Chinese government issued a decree whereby eight thousand Tibetan inhabitants were forcefully displaced in order to implement a major project in constructing seven Dams in Barkham County, Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture ("TAP"), Sichuan Province. As a consequence of constructing the dams, many holy Buddhist shrines and other age-old landmarks were left at the verge of submersion.

In December 2001, Chinese authorities had displaced sixty families in Gonjo County, Chamdo Prefecture to Nyingtri (Kongpo) Prefecture in Tibetan Autonomous Region ("TAR"). The families, mostly farmers, who subsisted from their traditional fields were warned with a fine of 70,000 Yuan for their incompliance with the orders. The displaced families faced enormous hardships in their new surroundings. The families tried to grow crops as per their occupation in the native land but failed to do so. Many had to go to Lhasa city to find employment to feed their family. The government promised to compensate the families but was never given a single dime.

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy is highly concerned at the plight of the local Tibetan inhabitants whose traditional livelihood will be affected by the limitation on the livestock. Such policies show no respect for the skill and local knowledge of the Tibetan nomads in preservation of the grassland. The Centre considers it as a measure to destroy another viable and vital part of Tibetan culture.

Memorandum to the Foreign Minister of Netherlands on his upcoming visit to China

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) is pleased to know that His Excellency Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Foreign Minister of Netherlands, will shortly visit China from 24-26 August 2003.

Through submission of this brief memorandum, TCHRD would like to urge His Excellency to raise human rights issue with Chinese officials. Since China's occupation of Tibet in 1959, Tibetans have faced arbitrary arrest and detention, religious persecution, racial discrimination, denial of broad based education and basic healthcare systems. Even today, the human rights condition has not seen any improvement.

TCHRD calls upon His Excellency to pressure following major issues of human rights concern with Chinese leadership:
1. Unconditionally release all the 208 known prisoners of conscience currently detained in various Chinese- administered prisons, detention centres, and labour camps in Tibet. More than 50 of these prisoners are serving sentences of more than 10 years to life.
2. Express to meet with Gedhun Chokyi Nyima, the 14-year-old Xith Panchen Lama of Tibet who went missing since 1995.
3. Rescind death sentence with a suspension of two years given to Tenzin Delek Rinpoche on charges of alleged involvement in bomb blast incidents.
4. Stop limiting monastic strength, indoctrinating monks and nuns with communist ideologies, and imposing restrictions on observance of traditional festivals and practices.
5. Halt development projects under the aegis of "Western Development Programme" that has no Tibet-centric concern for the welfare, progress and involvement of Tibetan people.
6. Clarify the scope and extent of the term "endangering state security" in its Criminal Procedural Law. The term's ambiguity is used to suppress multiple legitimate rights including the right to freedom of expression and speech.

TCHRD is a non-governmental organization established in 1996 with the primary goal of promoting and protecting human rights of the Tibetan people and to educate the Tibetan community on human rights concepts and democratic principles. Based in Dharamsala, North India, TCHRD monitors, documents and highlights human rights situation of the Tibetan people through its research publication, educational and awareness activities, UN mechanisms and through international conferences.

Chadrel Rinpoche not welcome in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery: Lama Nyandak

News agency AFP on 24 August reported that Chadrel Rinpoche, who was head of the search team for the reincarnation of the XIth Panchen Lama, is not welcome back in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse County.

Lama Nyandak, head of the Democratic Management Committee of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is quoted as saying,"the whereabouts of Chadrel Rinpoche is unknown and he is not welcome to return to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery".

Nyandak further commented, "Chadrel Rinpoche was a separatist who has contravened both national and Buddhist laws. During the search if he had contacted the central authorities for permssion to contact the Dalai Lama, he should have gotten their approval."

Chadrel Rinpoche Jampa Trinley led the search for the XIth Rinpoche in 1995 and subsequently received six years' imprisonment sentence on charges of leaking state secret by consulting the Dalai Lama in searching the reincarnation.

Chadrel Rinpoche was released in January 2002 but his whereabouts remain unknown. He is last reported to be under house arrest in an isolated resort (Chinese: dujian cun) south of Dib Military Camp (Tib Translit: Sgrib dmag khang) in Lhasa.

U.S accuses China of backsliding on human rights

The Washington Post on 21 August reported that the Bush administration has alleged China of backsliding on human rights commitments it made to address U.S. concerns, including specific promises that helped persuade President Bush not to pursue a resolution condemning Beijing at a U.N. forum in Geneva in 2003.

In response, the Chinese foreign ministry defended China's human rights record but did not deny the government's promises to U.S. officials. A Chinese government spokesperson said, "We are willing to carefully and skillfully handle the dispute in a constructive manner together with the American side."

China escaped U.S. criticism over its human rights violations during the 58th Human Rights Commission in March this year.

A nomad's courage to challenge government relocation policy leads to exile

Ata , a 30 year-old nomad from Gonjo County, Chamdo Prefecture, "TAR", had to flee Tibet after he ran into arguments with goverment officials against the authorities relocation ruling to make way for a so-called environmental drive to plant trees. According to Ata, the drive was actually a guise to mine the area to relocate the inhabitants.

Ata recounts, " Since 2001, the Chinese government has been resettling Tibetans from their traditional dwellings. Tibetans have been evicted from places where they had lived for generations. The resettlement program is continuing in full swing at the moment"

"The Chinese authorities told us that in order to protect the environment, they will need to plant trees in the region, however it is known to everyone that their actual plan is to initiate a big mining project in our region. Their claim to carry out afforestation is just a lip service because the inhabitants have never engaged in any practice that has harmed the fragile environment in anyway. In spite of the strict rules by which we are prohibited even to dig the land and use it for any sort of cultivation, logging has been taking place at a massive scale. This can hardly be disputed with the eyewitness accounts of Drichu River being used for transporting the woods to China. "

"In order to make us migrate, the authorities have since 2001, resorted to several tactics of either forceful or manipulative measures. The authorities assured us that if we comply with the orders and migrate accordingly, we will be provided with an alternative place where we could live a comfortable semi-nomadic life. In addition, they not only promised to give 70,000 Yuan to each household but also promised to oversee our needs in the future."

"Many of those who had little knowledge about the political and economic implications of this program began moving out to the new areas soon after. However, once they had shifted, the government did not fulfill any of the promises. Instead of receiving the promised compensation of 70,000 Yuan, the families were paid only 150 Yaun with a free provision of 50 gyamas (One gyama is equivalent to 500 grams) of grain. To make the matter worse, the lands for cultivation turned out to be barren rocky lands covered with soil. Due to this, the prospects of cultivation seem bleak after few years."

"Now that the government has already confiscated their land and house, the nomads, although they realize their mistake of having accepted the government's policy, are left with no other option but to subsist on the allocated areas."

"The new areas given to the Tibetans are Kongpo Gyamda and Tarmo counties. Those who will be affected by the decision are nomads from Boomkye, Chago, Zhang pa, Migtoe of Gonjo County in Chamdo Prefecture, "TAR". Besides them, there are other areas also likely to be affected."

"I was in Lhasa when the resettlement program was in the initial stage of implementation. I received a message from my hometown asking me to return in order to hand over my house and land. I was also needed to register for the new land I would be allotted."

"On my arrival, I got together with the other residents and discussed on the issue weighing the pros and cons of agreeing to the policy. I for one remained completely opposed to any idea of abandoning my land and home. I knew right at the outset the fall-out of accepting such a plan. I had no doubt about the danger of Tibetans getting outnumbered by the influx of Chinese migrants into the area and turning the region into another Chinese area. I was also worried about the possibility of a complete destruction of the natural environment with the government's indiscriminate mining and logging activities."

"Thereafter, I along with six other residents of our area attended a township level meeting at which the township head told us that as per the government's directives it is now our turn to leave our homes. The authorities tried to convince us by saying that the drive to resettle us from our homeland was being carried out by placing complete emphasis on our wellbeing. They added, ' you will be resettled to a place equipped with adequate facilities and amenities, therefore, you must follow the resettlement order.' Thus leaving little choice for us."

"Since the other nomads had rarely traveled out of their village, they mostly remained ignorant on the real motives of such a plan, and hence they were not able to speak upfront. However, for me, my exposure to the nitty gritty of Chinese government's plans after my years in Lhasa let me see things more clearly."

"I couldn't therefore sit silent and accept everything. I openly expressed my displeasure to the whole idea of giving up the land our ancestors have used for generations. To this, the authorities reminded me that questioning the authority's decree is inappropriate. They said, "Since it is a decision taken by the government, there is no way you can refute." In a very harsh manner, they told me to accept everything by asserting that the Central government has the ownership of not only the lands and houses but also the sky and the air we breathe."

"They continued their tirade on our lives and status. In response, I told them that, 'we have toiled hard to stand on our own feet. Taxation imposed on us, which is usually usurped in kind, is a known fact. We need to pay yearly taxes in the form of crop and animal products. Even if a scheme is put in place by the Central government, the amount that we receive does not even exceed 40 to 50 Yuan with the officials at township, county and prefecture level pocketing most of the amount meant for us.'"

"The authorities continued to remind us about our backwardness and compared the Central government's concern to us with the love of a parent to their children. They said, 'if you people are living a decent life, it is only due to the help and support of the Central government.' They further declared, 'you should not forget that the government has spend lots of money on building roads and electricity and has even helped you by giving you money and free grains.'"

"By repeating what I told them earlier about the so-called financial support and free grains provided by the government, I questioned the very reason for building roads and electricity. I told them that the roads were built not in the interest of the local people. If that had been so, then every township and county would have had proper roads and electricity. I said, 'the reason why you have built the highways is to take away our natural resources and feed the economic needs of the urban consumers in main land China." I further told them that, the ongoing plan to resettle us can therefore have the same motive. We will therefore never accept it at any cost.' After having said that, I fell into a long argument with the township's highest official. The authorities, who were all Tibetans, reprimanded me for challenging them. I wasn't, however, arrested at that time."

"After my confrontation with the township authorities, I immediately left for Lhasa. Within four days of my arrival in Lhasa, I received a call from a friend of mine at home about an impending possibility of my arrest. Apparently, the officials had noted down my criticism towards the programme during the meeting and had submitted a complaint against me to the county officials. By sheer good fortune, I managed to escape to India before they could get hold of me."

After his defect to India, it was later learnt that PSB officials had arrived in the apartment where Ata had been staying in Lhasa. Ata is now safe in exile in India. ¨

Patriotic Re-education Campaign in Sera Monastery leads to arrest and expulsion

Gyaltsen (eds. one name), 22, hails from Phenpo Lhundup County, Tibet Autonomous Region ("TAR"). He was formerly a monk at the Sera Monastery in Tibet but later took up farming to live. He was expelled from the monastery for being underaged.

Gyaltsen recounted to TCHRD, "I had the opportunity to attend a village school for only one month. I was a shepherd for a long time. At 12, I got admission into Sera Monastery and studied there for five years. In 1996, "TAR" high and middle level officials along with many members of Chinese "work team" came to Sera Monastery to conduct "patriotic re-education" campaign. The "work team" members took classes of the monks for a month."

"During the one-month period, five monks were arrested on alleged charges and subsequently given prison sentences ranging from one to three years. Norbu from Yamdrok Region died shortly after he was released from prison. He spent three years in prison. Norbu's death is attributed to extensive prison torture and maltreatment and failure to get adequate medical care during illness in prison."

"At the time, the Chinese government had ordered against admitting monks below 18 years and forbade them from participating in any religious gatherings. The official order led to expulsion of over 30 monks who were considered underaged. I was also expelled. Since then, I had been staying at my relative's place in Lhasa doing nothing. "

"Before leaving Lhasa for India, I met my fellow monks and teachers at Sera Monastery. Even today, the monks are required to study official documents and statements are distributed to the monks on a fortnightly basis. If a monk fails to study the official documents, then he is liable to face a penalty of 50 yuan. It is clear that there is no real freedom of choice with regard to studying and practising one's religion. There are also Chinese officials supervising over the monks in the monastery."

"The main reason behind my escape to India is solely to get a broad-based education."

Lhasa City Official confirms Tibetans imprisoned for "splittism"

In a rare admission, Vice Mayor of Lhasa City, Dhargyal, admitted to having arrested two Tibetans on "splittist" charges. The Vice Mayor made the admission to a media group who were on an official trip to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). He told the reporters that Dawa Tashi, a Tibet University Student, and Yeshi Gyatso, member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), had been arrested in June on suspicion of 'separatist offences'. He further told the reporters that Dawa Tashi had been released after he confessed to the charges but Yeshi is still in custody. The Vice Mayor said that the two had been accused of 'splitting the motherland, undermining unity of nationalities and violating the constitution'.

However, no mention was made about the arrest of anothe third year Tibet University student named Buchung. He was reportedly arrested on 16 June along with Dawa on same charges of "splittist activities".

PROFILE OF A CURRENT POLITICAL PRISONER

Six years sentence extension for pro-independence sloganeering

Lodroe Gyatso was born in 1961 in Tsaronk Township#3, Sog County,Nagchu Prefecture, "TAR". His family were semi nomads.

Lodroe was a dance artist affiliated with Sog County Drama Association. He also had a strong passion for sports and won horse race championships during county festivals.

In January 1991, Lodroe's younger sister, Lharik, was killed in a car crash. Lodroe filed a case against the driver, Gayoel, but the case was left for over a year and Gayoel was ultimately pronounced "not guilty." Gayoel reportedly threatened to kill Lodroe, who in turn reported to the police. But the police dismissed his report and refused to register the case.

On 17 January 1993, when Lodroe was on a stroll in the market, he happened to meet Gayoel by chance. Both the men broke into fight and in the course of fighting Gayoel died. He was stabbed by Lodroe. Eye witness accounts revealed that Gayoel was carrying a pistol and Lodroe retaliated in self defence. Eight People's Armed Police ("PAP") came to the scene and threw Lodroe to the ground. They started to beat him with all their might.

On 12 April 1994, Nagchu Prefecture Peoples Intermediate Court sentenced him to 15 years' imprisonment sentence on charges of "deliberate homicide." Lodroe was taken to Drapchi Prison to serve his sentence.

While serving his term in Drapchi, Lodroe conceived of a plan to contact the political prisoners in Unit no 5. They were to distribute political literature before the Tibetan New Year. On 4 March 1995, he received permission from the prison officials to visit another block under the pretext of seeking medicine from fellow inmates. This allowed Lodroe to shout pro-independence slogans and concluded in front of the courtyard of the first unit after walking past the second, fourth, fifth and the sixth unit. During the lone demonstration, he shouted "Tibet is independent", "Long live the Dalai Lama", "Chinese go back home" and "Six million Tibetans are united." All the while, Lodroe threw around 350 hand-written flyers.

Seven prison officers immediately ran to him and clamped thump-cuffs on Lodroe. They kicked and beat him with their belts, tied him up with a rope and continued to torture him until he bled from mouth and nose. He was taken to the solitary confinement cell where he was untied and beaten again.

Three days later, prison officials, Lee Tue Tang, Liu Bao and Zhao demanded that Lodroe "confess to his mistakes." He refused and instead shouted slogans. He was strangled and kicked causing severe neck and mouth injury untill he fell unconscious. The interrogations lasted a month. During his imprisonment in the solitary confinement cell, Lodroe was given a small piece of Tingmo (steamed dumpling) and a small mug of water twice a day.

Prison officials and 'Re-education through-labour" commission officials subsequently called a meeting, made papers to execute Lodroe Gyatso, and forwarded to the prosecution division. In April 1995, while the Intermediate People's Court decision to execute Lodroe was awaiting the approval of the Higher People's Court, the prisoners of Drapchi were able to smuggle the news of Lodroe's impending death abroad.

UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions drew an urgent appeal and transmitted the message to Chinese authorities. The timely intervention by the UN Special Rapporteur and repeated appeals from the international community saved Lodroe's life and he was instead given a six years' imprisonment extension and three years' deprivation of political rights.

Lodroe Gyatso is currently serving 21-years' imprisonment sentence in Drapchi Prison.¨

TCHRD ACTIVITIES BULLETIN

Briefing with the First Secretary of US Embassy

Ms. Tsewang Lhadon, Executive Director and Ms. Norzin Dolma, Senior Programme Officer, met with Mr.Jon P.Dorschner, First Secretary For political affairs, of the United States Embassy in Delhi, India on 16 August. During Mr.Dorschner's meeting with the Tibetan NGOs, he showed particular interest on human rights situation in Tibet.

Other NGOs present at the meeting were Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), Tibetan Women's Association (TWA), Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet and National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT).

TCHRD pays tribute to the late UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Mr. Jampa Monlam, Researcher, spoke to a mass gathering holding candle light vigil in memory of Mr. Sergio Vierra De Mello , High Commissioner for Human Rights, who was killed in a bomb explosion in Baghdad. The vigil was observed as a mark of the Tibetan people's last respect to the demised Human Rights Commissioner. During the candle light vigil on 21 August, Mr. Jampa conveyed the Tibetan people's condolence message on the tragic death of Mr. Sergio and recounted services of the late 30-year Brazilian veteran of many UN peacekeeping operations from the Balkans to East Timor to Africa.

The candle light vigil was organised by the National Democratic Party of Tibet based in Dharamsala, India.

TCHRD branch office staff resigns

Mr.Dorjee Damdul, Human Rights Officer in TCHRD's Kathmandu Branch Office resigned on 14 August 2003. He will be pursuing his Master's programme in Communication at the Grand Valley State University, Michigan, United States.

Mr. Dorjee joined the centre in September 2000 and was originally recruited as the field officer in Nepal. During his tenure in the office, Mr.Dorjee served with utmost dedication.

TCHRD staff wishes Mr.Dorjee Damdul a very prosperous future

TCHRD releases revised edition of the "Briefing Paper for Travellers to Tibet"

TCHRD is happy to announce the release of its new publication titled "Briefing Paper for Travellers to Tibet".

With the tourism industry booming in Tibet and after repeated request for the publication by individuals planning to visit Tibet, TCHRD brings forward an updated edition of the previous briefing paper for travellers to Tibet.

The pocket-sized booklet which runs into 68 pages (excluding the cover page) is handy and easy to use. It provides necessary informations about entry formalities, historical background, specific issues and other pertinent informations while in Tibet etc.

To avail a hard copy of the booklet write to us on the postal address given at the last page of the newsletter or e-mail us.